JP7616574B2 - Program, method, and system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to programs, methods, and systems.

Conventionally, games are known that have a mode that assists the player in performing character actions within the game. In such a mode, for example, aiming for shooting is automated, reducing the operational burden on the player required for aiming.

Patent No. 2007-312930

However, in games like the above, when a mode that supports the player's operations is executed, a single, predetermined, uniform support is executed, so depending on the player, there is a possibility that the support may feel excessive or insufficient. For this reason, there is room to further improve the entertainment value of the game.

Therefore, one of the problems that this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a program, method, and system that can further increase the interest of games.

An example of a program disclosed herein is a program for causing a computer to execute the following: accepting operation input from a player to a first operation unit for controlling movement of a character in a game and a second operation unit different from the first operation unit for controlling actions other than character movement; executing movement of the character in the game in response to the player's operation input to the first operation unit when the operation mode for controlling the character is the first operation mode, and executing an action of the character in the game in response to the player's operation input to the second operation unit; and automating the execution of at least a portion of the actions in the game independent of the player's operation input when the operation mode is a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, the second operation mode including a plurality of modes with different degrees of automation of the execution of at least a portion of the actions.

Furthermore, another exemplary method of the present disclosure includes receiving, by a computer, operation input from a player to a first operation unit for controlling movement of a character in a game and a second operation unit different from the first operation unit for controlling actions other than character movement; when an operation mode related to the operation of the character is a first operation mode, executing movement of the character in the game in response to the operation input from the player to the first operation unit, and executing an action of the character in the game in response to the operation input from the player to the second operation unit; and when the operation mode is a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, automating the execution of at least a portion of the actions in the game without relying on the operation input from the player, the second operation mode including a plurality of modes with different degrees of automation of the execution of at least a portion of the actions.

Furthermore, as yet another example of the system of the present disclosure, the system includes a first operation unit for operating the movement of a character in a game, a second operation unit different from the first operation unit for operating actions other than the movement of the character, a reception unit for receiving operation input from a player to the first operation unit, and a character control unit for controlling the movement of the character and the execution of actions in the game, the character control unit executing the movement of the character in the game in response to the player's operation input to the first operation unit when the operation mode related to the operation of the character is the first operation mode, executing the action of the character in the game in response to the player's operation input to the second operation unit, and automating the execution of at least a part of the action in the game independent of the player's operation input when the operation mode is the second operation mode different from the first operation mode, the second operation mode including a plurality of modes with different degrees of automation of the execution of at least a part of the action.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the game device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an illustrative schematic flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the game device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an illustrative schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an illustrative schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an illustrative schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an illustrative schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is an illustrative schematic block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device constituting the game device (and the server device) according to the embodiment.

Embodiments of the program, method, and system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the embodiments described below, and the actions and effects brought about by the configurations, are merely examples, and are not limited to the contents described below.

In the following, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used as necessary, but these ordinal numbers are used for ease of identification and do not indicate any particular priority order.

Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to the embodiment includes a game device 110 and a server device 120. The game device 110 and the server device 120 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 150 such as the Internet.

The game device 110 provides a game to a user (player) of the game device 110 while communicating with the server device 120 as necessary. As described below, in an embodiment, the game device 110 provides an action game in which a character performs an action in response to an operation by the player.

Incidentally, games such as those described above may be equipped with a mode that assists the player in performing character actions within the game. Generally, in such a mode, a single, uniform, predetermined type of assistance is provided.

However, when a single, predetermined, uniform support is provided, some players may feel that the support is excessive or insufficient. For this reason, there is room to further improve the interest of the game.

In this embodiment, the configuration described below provides multiple, gradual changes to the game's playability by providing multiple modes to assist the player in their operations.

Figure 2 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a game device 110 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 110 includes an input receiving unit 211, a display processing unit 212, and a character control unit 213.

The input reception unit 211 receives input of various operations by the user of the game device 110. The user's operations are performed, for example, via the operation unit 200 that is connected to the game device 110 via a wired or wireless connection.

The operations accepted by the input acceptance unit 211 include, for example, an operation to move a game character and an operation to have the character perform an action other than movement (attack, defense, etc.). An operation to move a character is input, for example, via the first operation unit 221 of the operation unit 200, and an operation to have the character perform an action other than movement is input, for example, via the second operation unit 222 of the operation unit 200.

The input reception unit 211 also receives an operation for setting (selecting) an operation mode by the player. An operation mode is a mode that is provided in stages to support the player's operation, as described above. In an embodiment, the degree to which the player's operation is supported (for example, the degree to which the character's actions are automated without the player's operation) changes depending on the operation mode that is set.

The display processing unit 212 controls the output of the game screen, which changes in response to the progress of the game and the player's operations, to a display (not shown). The character control unit 213 controls the movement and actions of the characters in the game and manages the progress of the game, coordinating with the server device 120 via communication as necessary.

Based on the above configuration, the game device 110 according to the embodiment executes processing in the flow shown in the following Figure 3 when providing a game to a player.

Figure 3 is an exemplary schematic flowchart showing the process flow when a game device 110 according to an embodiment provides a game to a player.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the input reception unit 211 first receives an operation by the player to set the operation mode in S301. The operation mode is set, for example, via a game screen such as that shown in the following FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is an illustrative and schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to an embodiment.

Image 400 shown in FIG. 4 is a mode selection screen that is displayed, for example, at the start of a game, to allow the player to select an operation mode. Image 400 includes three items 401, 402, and 403.

When the player selects item 401, a mode is set in which no assistance is provided to the player, i.e., the character's movements and actions are performed according to the player's manual operations. On the other hand, when the player selects item 402 or 403, a mode is set in which assistance is provided to the player, i.e., at least some of the character's actions are automated without the player's operations.

Here, in the embodiment, the assist mode that can be set in item 402 and the super assist mode that can be set in item 403 differ in the degree of assistance they provide to the player's operations. More specifically, as described below, the super assist mode that can be set in item 403 has a greater number (types) of automated actions than the assist mode that can be set in item 402.

First, a specific example of an action automated in the assist mode of item 402 will be described. In the embodiment, the assist mode includes, for example, an auto-item function that automatically uses recovery or resurrection items according to the character's physical strength during a battle with an enemy, and an attack assist function that automatically performs consecutive attacks including normal attacks and special attacks by simply repeatedly pressing a single button for performing a normal attack. The assist mode also includes an automatic special action activation function that automatically executes special actions that are different from normal actions, such as abilities, special techniques, and link attacks, that are activated when a predetermined operation is performed under a predetermined condition during a battle with an enemy, when the predetermined condition is met. Furthermore, the assist mode also includes, for example, an auto-avoid function that automatically avoids enemy attacks, and an auto-guard function that automatically defends against enemy attacks. Note that the auto-avoid function is not activated when the character is performing a predetermined action, such as when an ability is being activated. The auto-guard function is activated with a certain probability when avoidance is impossible. In addition, the assist mode also has an auto-dash function that automatically speeds up the character's movement speed when character movement operations are performed continuously for a certain period of time. In normal mode, where the assist mode is not set, character actions such as the special attacks, special techniques, abilities, link attacks, evasion, defense, and dashes mentioned above can be achieved by pressing one or more of the corresponding buttons at the right time.

Next, a specific example of an action automated in the super assist mode of item 403 will be described. In the embodiment, the super assist mode includes, for example, a super attack assist function, a super auto evasion function, a super auto guard function, and a specific attack evasion function in addition to the above functions of the assist mode. The super attack assist function is, for example, a function that automatically performs normal attacks in succession when an enemy is within attack distance during combat with the enemy, even if there is no operation for performing a normal attack. The super attack assist function cooperates with the above attack assist function to automatically perform continuous attacks even if there is no operation for performing a normal attack. In addition, the super auto evasion function is, for example, a function that always performs evasion when it is possible to evade an enemy attack, and the super auto guard function is, for example, a function that always performs defense when it is impossible to evade the enemy's public attack but defense is possible. In addition, the specific attack evasion function is a function that automatically moves outside the range of the special attack when the enemy performs a specified preparatory movement to perform a special attack.

In this way, in this embodiment, there are two operation modes that provide different degrees of support for the player's operations, making it possible to provide support according to the player's skill, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

The operation mode can also be set via the game screen as shown in Figure 5 below.

Image 500 shown in FIG. 5 is a game setting screen for making various settings related to the game, which is called up in response to a player's operation after the game has started, for example. Image 500 includes an area 510 in which a list of setting items related to the game is displayed, and an area 520 in which details of an item selected in area 510 are displayed.

Area 510 includes an item 511 for setting the game difficulty level and an item 512 for setting the above-mentioned operation mode. Area 510 also includes various items for setting the auto dash function on/off, the attack assist on/off, the target automatic switching on/off, whether or not to activate a companion character's special skill, the auto play on/off of the conversation part, which button to use for communication shortcut operations, which button to use for guard/lock-on, the camera sensitivity, the camera speed when aiming, and how to rotate the camera up and down. The auto dash function on/off setting, the attack assist on/off setting, and the target automatic switching on/off setting are auxiliary functions that are installed separately from the above-mentioned assist mode to assist the player's operation. The auto dash function on/off setting determines whether or not to enable the function that automatically dashes after moving for a set period of time, the attack assist on/off setting determines whether or not to enable the function that automatically orients the character to the nearest target when attacking (lock-on), and the auto target switching on/off setting determines whether or not to enable the function that automatically locks onto another target when the target is no longer there while lock-on is activated.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, item 511 is "STORY." "STORY" is a difficulty level for players who place more importance on watching the story than on playing the game's action controls, and the assist mode and super assist mode operation modes are only effective when the difficulty level is set to "STORY." Note that other difficulty levels than "STORY" include, for example, "ACTION," "HARD," and "ULTMATE," which correspond to the difficulty of the action controls (difficulty increases in that order).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, item 512 is set to "Do not use." In area 520, in addition to "Do not use," "Assist mode" and "Super assist mode" are displayed as options selectable for item 512. This allows the player to receive assistance with character operation to the desired degree by selecting an operation mode with the prerequisite that the difficulty level be set to "STORY."

The content set in item 512 may be displayed not only in image 500 above, but also on the game screen shown in FIG. 6 below.

Figure 6 is an illustrative and schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to an embodiment.

Image 600 shown in FIG. 6 is a loading screen that is displayed, for example, when loading and starting a previously saved game progress. Image 600 includes areas 601, 602, and 603 that indicate slots for save data.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, save data exists only in area 601. Area 601 displays area 610, which indicates the difficulty level and operation mode set in the save data. Area 610 includes the display "STORY" and a mark 611 of a circled "A". The display "STORY" indicates that the difficulty level is set to "STORY", and mark 611 of a circled "A" indicates that the operation mode is set to "assist mode" or "super assist mode". Note that different marks may be used for mark 611 depending on whether "assist mode" or "super assist mode" is set.

The difficulty level and operation mode that have been set may also be displayed on the game screen shown in Figure 7 below.

Figure 7 is an illustrative and schematic diagram showing an example of a game screen according to an embodiment.

Image 700 shown in FIG. 7 is, for example, a game over screen that is displayed when a player is defeated by an enemy. Image 700 includes an area 710 that accepts an operation to change the difficulty level of the game.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, area 710 displays area 720 indicating the currently set difficulty level and operation mode. Area 720 includes the display "ACTION" and a mark 721 of a circled "A". The display "ACTION" indicates that the difficulty level is set to "ACTION", and mark 721 of a circled "A" indicates that the operation mode is set to "assist mode" or "super assist mode". Note that a different display for mark 721 may be used depending on whether "assist mode" or "super assist mode" is set.

In this way, in this embodiment, the difficulty level and operation mode can be set and the details of those settings can be confirmed via various game screens.

Returning to FIG. 3, in S302, the input reception unit 211 receives input of character operation by the player. Then, in S303, the character control unit 213 automates the execution of at least a portion of the game character's actions in accordance with the operation mode received in S301 and the player's operation received in S302, and controls the progress of the game. Then, the processing ends.

As described above, the game device 110 according to the embodiment includes an input receiving unit 211 and a character control unit 213. The input receiving unit 211 receives operation inputs from the player to the first operation unit 221 and the second operation unit 222. The first operation unit 221 is an operation unit for operating the movement of the character in the game, and the second operation unit 222 is an operation unit provided separately from the first operation unit 221 for operating actions other than the movement of the character. The character control unit 213 controls the movement of the character and the execution of actions in the game. When the operation mode for the operation of the character is the first operation mode (the mode of "not used" in the above example), the character control unit 213 executes the movement of the character in the game in response to the operation input of the player to the first operation unit 221, and executes the action of the character in the game in response to the operation input of the player to the second operation unit 222. Furthermore, when the operation mode is a second operation mode (in the above example, the modes called "assist mode" and "super assist mode") that is different from the first operation mode, the character control unit 213 automates the execution of at least some of the actions in the game without relying on the player's operation input.

Here, in the embodiment, the second operation mode includes a number of modes ("assist mode" and "super assist mode" in the above example) with different degrees of automation in the execution of at least some of the actions. With this configuration, unlike, for example, when a single, predetermined, uniform assistance is executed (i.e., when there is only one type of second operation mode), it is possible to provide assistance according to the player's skill, thereby making the game more interesting.

In the embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple modes differ from each other in the number of actions that are automated. With this configuration, the multiple modes can be clearly differentiated by the number of actions that are automated.

In addition, in an embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple modes include a first mode ("assist mode" in the above example) in which the execution of some of the actions is automated without relying on the player's operational input, and the remaining part of the actions is executed in response to the player's operational input to the second operation unit 222, and a second mode ("super assist mode" in the above example) in which the execution of all of the actions is automated without relying on the player's operational input. With this configuration, it is possible to provide two modes depending on whether all of the actions are automated or not.

In addition, in an embodiment, when the operation mode is the second operation mode ("assist mode" and "super assist mode" in the above-mentioned examples), the character control unit 213 can automate the execution of movement without relying on the player's operation input (the auto-dash function in the above-mentioned examples). With this configuration, by automating not only actions but also movement, the degree of assistance for the player's operation can be further increased.

Finally, we will explain the hardware configuration of the game device 110 (and the server device 120) according to the above-mentioned embodiment. The authentication module according to the embodiment is configured as an information processing device 800 having a hardware configuration equivalent to that of a general computer, for example, as shown in the following Figure 8.

An exemplary schematic block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing device 800 constituting a game device 110 (and a server device 120) according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing device 800 includes a processor 810, a memory 820, a storage 830, an input/output interface (I/F) 840, and a communication interface (I/F) 850. These pieces of hardware are connected to a bus 860.

The processor 810 is configured, for example, as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and provides overall control over the operation of each part of the information processing device 800.

Memory 820 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and provides volatile or non-volatile storage of various data such as programs executed by processor 810, and a working area for processor 810 to execute programs.

Storage 830 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various types of data in a non-volatile manner.

The input/output interface 840 controls the input of data from an input device such as the operation unit 200 (see FIG. 2) to the information processing device 800, and the output of data from the information processing device 800 to an output device such as a display and a speaker.

The communication interface 850 enables the information processing device 800 to communicate with other devices.

The functional configuration (see FIG. 2) of the game device 110 according to the embodiment is realized as a group of functional modules through the cooperation of hardware and software as a result of the processor 810 executing a program pre-stored in the memory 820 or the storage 830. However, in the embodiment, some or all of the group of functional modules shown in FIG. 2 may be realized only by hardware such as a specially designed circuit. Furthermore, in the embodiment, at least some of the group of functional modules shown in FIG. 2 may be realized on the server device 120 side.

The above-mentioned program does not necessarily have to be stored in advance in memory 820 or storage 830. For example, the above-mentioned program may be provided as a computer program product recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable medium, such as various magnetic disks such as a flexible disk (FD) or various optical disks such as a digital versatile disk (DVD).

The above-mentioned program may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. In other words, the above-mentioned program may be provided in a state where it is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is available for download via the network.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope or gist of the invention, and are included in the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

110 Game device 211 Input reception unit (reception unit)
213 Character control unit 221 First operation unit 222 Second operation unit

Claims (6)

receiving an operation input by a player to a first operation unit for operating a movement of a character in a game and a second operation unit different from the first operation unit for operating an action other than the movement of the character;
receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting a difficulty level of the game from a plurality of difficulty levels;
receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting an operation mode relating to operation of the character to a first operation mode or a second operation mode different from the first operation mode;
when the operation mode is the first operation mode, executing a movement of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the first operation unit, and executing the action of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the second operation unit;
When the operation mode is the second operation mode, automating execution of at least a part of the actions in the game without relying on an operation input by the player;
A program for causing a computer to execute the above,
the second operation mode includes a plurality of modes differing from one another in the degree of automation of the execution of at least some of the actions;
the second operation mode can be set only when the difficulty level of the game is set to a predetermined difficulty level among the plurality of difficulty levels,
The plurality of modes include:
a first mode in which a predetermined successive action is automatically executed as the action in response to the player repeatedly pressing a single button as the second operation unit;
a second mode in which the predetermined sequence of actions is automatically executed under a certain condition regardless of whether the single button is being operated by the player;
Including,
The first mode and the second mode are selectively set in response to an operation input by the player . The first mode and the second mode have different numbers of the actions to be automated.
The program according to claim 1. the first mode is a mode in which execution of a part of the actions is automated without depending on an operation input by the player, and a remaining part of the actions is executed in response to an operation input by the player via the second operation unit;
the second mode is a mode in which all of the actions are automated without being dependent on an operational input by the player;
The program according to claim 2. The program according to claim 1 , further causing the computer to automate the execution of the movement without relying on an operation input by the player when the operation mode is the second operation mode. By computer,
receiving an operation input by a player to a first operation unit for operating a movement of a character in a game and a second operation unit different from the first operation unit for operating an action other than the movement of the character;
receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting a difficulty level of the game from a plurality of difficulty levels;
receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting an operation mode relating to operation of the character to a first operation mode or a second operation mode different from the first operation mode;
when the operation mode is the first operation mode, executing a movement of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the first operation unit, and executing the action of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the second operation unit;
When the operation mode is a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, automating execution of at least a part of the action in the game without relying on an operation input by the player;
Including,
the second operation mode includes a plurality of modes with different degrees of automation of the execution of at least some of the actions;
the second operation mode can be set only when the difficulty level of the game is set to a predetermined difficulty level among the plurality of difficulty levels,
The plurality of modes include:
a first mode in which a predetermined successive action is automatically executed as the action in response to the player repeatedly pressing a single button as the second operation unit;
a second mode in which the predetermined sequence of actions is automatically executed under a certain condition regardless of whether the single button is being operated by the player;
Including,
The method , wherein the first mode and the second mode are selectively set in response to an operation input by the player . a receiving section for receiving an operation input by a player to a first operation section for controlling movement of a character in a game and a second operation section different from the first operation section for controlling actions other than the movement of the character, receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting a difficulty level of the game from a plurality of difficulty levels, and receiving an operation input by the player for selectively setting an operation mode related to the operation of the character to a first operation mode or a second operation mode different from the first operation mode;
A character control unit that controls movement of the character and execution of the action in the game,
when the operation mode is the first operation mode, executing movement of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the first operation unit, and executing the action of the character within the game in response to an operation input by the player to the second operation unit;
When the operation mode is a second operation mode different from the first operation mode, automating the execution of at least a part of the action in the game without relying on an operation input by the player.
A character control unit,
the second operation mode includes a plurality of modes with different degrees of automation of the execution of at least some of the actions;
the second operation mode can be set only when the difficulty level of the game is set to a predetermined difficulty level among the plurality of difficulty levels,
The plurality of modes include:
a first mode in which a predetermined successive action is automatically executed as the action in response to the player repeatedly pressing a single button as the second operation unit;
a second mode in which the predetermined sequence of actions is automatically executed under a certain condition regardless of whether the single button is being operated by the player;
Including,
The first mode and the second mode are selectively set in response to an operation input by the player .

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